Driver accused of murder in Angels pitcher's death pleads not guilty

A San Gabriel man accused of killing Anaheim Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others in an April car crash pleaded not guilty today to three counts of murder, drunk driving and fleeing the scene of an accident.

Andrew Thomas Gallo, 22, who appeared in Orange County Superior Court, is accused of having a blood-alcohol content three times the legal limit and running a red light when he slammed into the victims’ vehicle in Fullerton.

Adenhart was a passenger in a car driven by Courtney Stewart, 20. Stewart, of Diamond Bar, and Henry Pearson, 25, of Manhattan Beach were also killed.

Gallo, who was driving with a suspended license from a prior drunk driving conviction, allegedly ran from the scene and was later arrested. He faces 55 years to life in prison if convicted.

--Mike Anton

Photo: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Comments

[Michelle]

Not guilty? Seriously? Let the man rot in jail.

[Kevin]

The driver's father says "My son is a good man" - delusional! If some drunk driver had killed his son and two others, would he evaluate that drunk as a "good man"? With parents like this, no wonder that Gallo thought it was okay to drive drunk, get arrested, and continue to drive drunk, 'cause deep down, after all, he was a "good guy at heart". And don't give me the alcoholic excuse for his behavior either. There are plenty of addiction centers around to help addicts control their behavior if they are interested in attempting to do so. This guy is a MURDERER!!! I hope he gets the maxium sentence allowed by the law.

[Gary]

I guess you can plead not guilty to anything.... BUT, if it was definitely YOU driving drunk, and you're driving on a suspended license from a prior DUI, and YOU ran from the accident and had obvious injuries from the accident, and the police have documented proof of YOUR blood alcohol level, I pretty much think YOU'RE GUILTY! What's tragic is that this guy took these lives, he's now thrown away his own and no doubt has left a ton of guilt to bear on his own family who have to claim this guy as "family". Drug abuse is a disease, and must be treated as such. But once they demonstrate they cannot stay sober and continue to drive, then they have to be taken out of society.

[joe s]

not guilty, the guy was on camera, how could he say not guilty, this is the crap that waste the taxpayers DOLLARS

[MC]

Let's look at the facts: Andrew Gallo had a blood alcohol level three times over the limit, and he was driving without a license because why? Oh yeah, he lost it in a prior drunk driving incident. Andrew Gallo is just to stupid to learn and to know better. He needs to spend three life sentences in jail for the three lives he took. What a complete loser.

[Sandra]

How does he have the nerve to plead not guilty with all the evidence against him? He should consider himself lucky that he gets to rot in jail.

[Gloria]

If he isn't convicted to 55 years or, better yet, life imprisonment, there's a pretty big chance that he will do it again. But of course, the state of California probably can't afford another prisoner at the moment and will more than likely set him free.

[Ernie]

Strap him into the owners box in the gas chamber at San Quentin, give him one more rouind of drinks, and send him on his way. We don't want to support him for the next 55 years.

[h]

Everyone has the right to a fair trial. It's the American way--or at least it used to be.

[DUI Program Counselor]

If there is any JUSTICE to be had in this, then this pathetic waste of oxygen consumption of an alcoholic will change his plea to guilty, and let his victim's families sentence him! Then again, he is probably too "emotionally distraught" to think of anyone other then himself!

[Let the games begin]

Just working for a better plea deal. Need to start offering "last chance" plea deals then if they keep pleading not guilty, and found guilty, give them the maximum. we need to stop courtroom time on these drunks. O.K. he gets his day in court, but he and his lawyers have seen the case, they are just gaming the system. Make him pay for that strategy.

[Marie]

Is his family proud of his actions? Another website stated there were about 15 of his family members and friends in support of him. Where were they the night of the accident when they willingly allowed him to go out and drive drunk?! He was apparently living with his parents and driving their van, with a suspended license. THAT"S when he needed their 'support'. At this point it's a little too little too late!! Everyone knows this guy is guilty!!

[Greg]

Please double check your reference to the "Anaheim" Angels with your "world champion" Sports department. The Angels have not been Anaheim since just after Arte Moreno bought them. The official name (as approved by Major League Baseball and the California court system) is Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or just Los Angeles Angels. Don't want to make an "Error - writer."

[Bad Planning]

You have to love America's due process rights and waste of american tax dollars. For all i know we(taxpayers) are going to do him a favor and provide a shelter, food, drinks, cable, gym, library and the ability to live by killing 3 innocent people. How fair is that, these are things that this loser didn't have before.

[Robert Green]

Checking in from Maryland. All these comments are so true. I knew Nick and his mom and stepdad. I also felt like writing somethng similiar to these comments. But, let's let justiice run it's course. In so many ways, so many families have suffered, including the accused. Deep down, there is good and bad in all of us. At times like this, that is what we all have to remember. His life is over. Let's be christians and let him go decently.

[Greg Brandt]

What a outlandish waste of a human.This guy killed some really great people.HANG EM

[Glen S. Fleetwood]

PLEASE people, calm down. "Gaming the system"? His arraignment is Constitutionally mandated, everyone gets one so we do not throw people into prison without telling them what they are accused of. It costs more to execute him than to keep him in prison for life. Let he who HAS NEVER driven with drugs or alcohol in their system cast the first stone. And if there is any such person, does that include your children, they never have? Your parents? Gallo thought it was OK to drive drunk BECAUSE HE WAS DRUNK!!!. I hope he gets a year in rehab, because it was a very tragic accident. No one meant to hurt anybody. "Mister DUI"